Alcoa, Millennium submit draft plan for cleanup of former Reynolds site

Alcoa Co. and Millennium Bulk Terminals have submitted a draft cleanup plan for the 416-acre former Reynolds Metals Co. site west of Longview, state officials said Wednesday.

The Department of Ecology's preferred alternative would cost between $6 million and $10 million, which would be paid by the two companies, according to the 165-page report. The cleanup plan would include extensive excavation and replacement of contaminated soil at the site along the Columbia River, according to Ecology.

Starting in the 1940s, Reynolds used chemicals such as fluoride, cyanide and arsenic at the aluminum smelter, and some of those chemicals and others of concern remain in the ground on the site, according to Ecology.

Ecology officials say they plan to hold a public meeting this fall to accept official public comment. A date has not been set.

Spokeswoman Linda Kent added that the agency has not determined when the plan will be finished, though it will likely be sometime in 2013.

Ecology is accepting informal public comment on the plan, which is available through the agency's website. Copies of the plan are also available at the Longview Public Library.

Pennsylvania-based Alcoa bought the site more than a decade ago and is ultimately responsible for its cleanup. In February, Ecology expanded the cleanup order to include Millennium.

Millennium bought the buildings and equipment on the site last year. The company has filed permits to build a $600 million coal export terminal, which, if approved, would be one of the largest in North America.